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Quote by W. W. Sawyer

“When we find ourselves unable to reason (as one often does when presented with, say, a problem in algebra) it is because our imagination is not touched. One can begin to reason only when a clear picture has been formed in the imagination. Bad teaching is teaching which presents an endless procession of meaningless signs, words and rules, and fails to arouse the imagination.”

Quote by W. W. Sawyer

Work

Mathematician's Delight

This book is renowned for its clear and concise explanations of mathematical concepts, making it a popular choice for both students and enthusiasts alike. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic arithmetic to more advanced mathematical ideas, and is known for its conversational tone and illustrative examples. more

Author

W. W. Sawyer
W. W. Sawyer

W. W. Sawyer (1911-2008) was a British mathematician, mathematics educator, and popular science writer, best known for his accessible and engaging books on mathematics. Born in England, he taught at several universities and dedicated his career to making mathematics enjoyable. His works, such as 'Mathematician's Delight,' have been translated into many languages, inspiring generations of math enthusiasts. more

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“Math is the beautiful, rich, joyful, playful, surprising, frustrating, humbling and creative art that speaks to something transcendental. It is worthy of much exploration and examination because it is intrinsically beautiful, nothing more to say. Why play the violin? Because it is beautiful! Why engage in math? Because it too is beautiful!”

“Considering how many fools can calculate, it is surprising that it should be thought either a difficult or a tedious task for any other fool to learn how to master the same tricks... Being myself a remarkably stupid fellow, I have had to unteach myself the difficulties, and now beg to present to my fellow fools the parts that are not hard. Master these thoroughly, and the rest will follow. What one fool can do, another can.”

“How often might a man, after he had jumbled a set of letters in a bag, fling them out upon the ground before they would fall into an exact poem, yea, or so much as make a good discourse in prose? And may not a little book be as easily made by chance as this great volume of the world?”